The Sea Vixen: The Strangest Fighter Jet in British History

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Although I predominantly flew Buccaneers I did do a conversion onto the Vixen. It was a beast but once airborne flew like a thoroughbred. It was a Fleet interceptor and was not intended to "dog fight" although it could turn well. It certainly was not terrible as the title suggests.

I have seen one of these at the fleet air arm museum. I was with my father a former RN aircraft mechanic. When my father saw it he took a good look and then went over to the museums book stall. He proceeded to find a book about the aircraft on display and flipped to the back of the book. "I told them it would never fly again and I was right. They brought it here on a lorry."

Oh Simon, Airplane nerds unite! Yes the Sea Vixen was an underwhelming deathtrap, however across the world as designers were faced with many new challenges...the sound barrier, swept wing technology, early giant radar sets, and really terrible early jet engines it was no worse than the underpowered Vought F7U Cutlass, the deadly stall spin of the MiG 15, or the North American F100 and it's fatal Sabre Dance. Not pretty, but not terrible...I do like the name!

It's hardly a weird looking plane!!! I think it looks gorgeous! Too bad it didn't pan out!

I don't think the Sea Vixen weird looking. I find it to be a rather beautiful aircraft. Not that I'm in a hurry to go up and crash in one.

The Sea Vixen was the product of a Royal Navy requirement for a all weather day/night jet fighter first proposed in 1946 . The lack of forward firing armament was probably a mistake , but they were not alone with that thinking . It took another war for the Americans to realize that with the F4-Phantom , yet another two crew fighter . The reason behind the navigator/radar operator being enclosed in a concealed compartment was quite simply for better reading of the radar scopes and nav aids. Unlike the Americans and French , the British from conception to service took a long time , so frequently good ideas or designs were outdated when ready for active service. The top speed of the Vixen of 690 mph was impressive for its period. Regarding the accident rate , it was nothing out of the ordinary for early jets . An acquaintance who flew Meteors and Vampires said of the latter . When you are diving at nearly 600 mph and the realization that all that separates you from the outside air is Plywood , does not give a feeling of confidence . A further note upon that subject , The Lockheed F-80 Shooting Star had its baptism of war in Korea . 80% of all of those built were lost in that conflict and nearly half to accidents. Simon has a supercilious attitude that doesn't go down well with me . Unlike he , I am of an age who knew many personally of those who experienced first hand ,what he derides as crap.

To my mind the Sea Vixen is no stranger than the Gloster Javelin. Being 'all weather' the aircraft had to carry a big radar. A radar far bigger than the 'fire control' 'intercept' radar of interceptors like the Lightning. It was not the only British aircraft with an offset pilot cockpit, variants of the Canberra also had them. It showed a visual lineage from the early Swallow prototypes, with additions of a tail. Offset cockpits allowed a better view of the deck in landing. It was never intended for dog-fighting.

If nothing else, I think it's an aesthetically pleasing airplane.

As a USAF brat whose Dad was stationed at RAF Wethersfield in Essex from 1955 to 1958, he used to take me to a model shop on Halstead's High Street. One of the many plastic aircraft models I bought and put together was a DH 110 by FROG. I was always impressed by its off-center cockpit. JJS

A video about Eric 'winkle' Brown RN/FAA would be a great tribute. His take off and landings from aircraft carriers has never been beaten, flew more aircraft types (Including the Me163) than any other pilot.

I was lucky enough to see the last flying Sea Vixen at an airshow, even if by then it still had Red Bull livery

Simon, we want to see a (historic) picture of you with a full hair!

I remember that old adage "Never buy hair restorer from a bald Barber."

"Then that future would have to involve an aircraft, that, simply, wasn't this one..." Cold

The blackburn bucaneer would be a good episode 🤞

Naval aviation, especially on the small RN carriers, as jets got bigger and heavier, was extremely dangerous. The Sea Vixen had a 38% loss rate. The Supermarine Scimitar lost 51%.

Fighter jets have long been a fascination for me, fond memories growing up in the 90's building AirFix models with my father. Love watching these videos

The US Navy had something very similar looking and performing around that time called the Gutless Cutlass or F7-U1 Cutlass.

The coolest thing about the Sea Vixen is it looks like something that belongs in the TV programme Thunderbirds.